Have you recently moved to a home with an oil furnace? If so there’s a bit of a learning curve that comes along with it. An oil furnace operates much the same as any other furnace, it simply uses heating oil as its fuel source. Heating oil is stored in a tank, typically outside of your home. Some tanks are above ground and others are buried. 

While heating oil burns relatively clean, it does produce some soot and carbon monoxide. Regular cleanings by an oil furnace company in Reidsville are necessary to keep your heating system operating properly and efficiently. So how often should regular cleanings take place? 

Have your Oil Furnace Professionally Cleaned Each Year

Professional HVAC specialists recommend cleanings every year for any type of furnace, including oil furnaces. It is best for a cleaning to be done in the fall before the start of the cold-weather season, or in early spring at the end of the cold-weather season, but it can be done at any time. HVAC companies tend to be busier when the weather is extremely cold because they are handling emergency furnace repairs. 

It is a good idea to have the soot and dust cleaned out of the furnace before the humidity of the summer sets in because the combination of dirt and moisture can cause corrosion and rust. Make an appointment with an oil furnace company in Reidsville with the necessary experience to do the job right. 

Why is it Necessary to Clean an Oil Furnace Yearly?

What happens if you don’t have your furnace cleaned each year? If you’re lucky, nothing. But the chances are much higher than a variety of things can go wrong. A dirty furnace can exhibit all sorts of problems from short cycling to complete system failure. If your heating oil tank seems to need refills more often than usual, your furnace is likely lacking efficiency due to excessive dirt and soot buildup. 

A dirty furnace can also produce higher than normal amounts of carbon monoxide, which can cause serious health issues from dizziness to permanent respiratory health issues. It is important to have a carbon monoxide detector at home that will alert you if CO levels reach an unhealthy point. But even with CO detectors in place, low levels of carbon monoxide can go undetected and still cause harm. Eliminate the risk by having your furnace cleaned yearly. 

What Does a Professional Furnace Cleaning Entail?

In addition to a thorough cleaning, most professional HVAC companies will perform an inspection and tune-up that includes lubricating parts, tightening wires, and replacing any parts that are worn or starting to wear out. Any potential problems will be identified and corrected to ensure your furnace will operate properly in the season ahead. 

Carolina Fuels is your Reliable Oil Furnace Company in Reidsville

Looking for an HVAC service you can trust? Carolina Fuels is a reliable oil furnace company in Reidsville with decades of experience in the industry. Get a thorough, professional cleaning for your oil furnace to ensure efficiency and safe operation. Call Carolina Fuels today at (336) 623-9741 to make an appointment for a cleaning or schedule service here. 

The most common heating fuels used in Burlington are Propane and Natural Gas. Oil is also used, but not as much in recent years. In comparison, propane is more efficient than natural gas for a variety of reasons. If you are debating between choosing propane or natural gas for heating, here are four reasons that propane is more efficient.

 

It burns hotter

When it burns, propane burns at a higher temperature than natural gas, which is the reason it takes less propane than gas to get your home heated to your desired temperature. The high heat capacity of propane allows your home to heat faster so that it feels comfortable much sooner on a cold day or night. If you tend to turn your heat down when no one is home, propane heat will recover much faster so that you feel the heat sooner once you get home and turn up the thermostat. 

Less is More

Propane is more concentrated than natural gas. It produces more than twice the energy of the same amount of natural gas. In BTU’s (British Thermal Units), it is approximately 2,516 per cubic foot of propane vs. 1,030 per cubic foot of natural gas. Mathematically, propane yields more energy. 

Propane is a pure gas

Propane is a gas extracted from natural gas. It is separated during the production of natural gas and sold to suppliers as a pure fuel. Natural gas contains propane, methane, butane, ethane, and pentane. While natural gas gets its name from the fact that it occurs naturally to some extent, it is also processed before it gets to consumers. Natural gas is a greenhouse gas, but propane is not. Its purity is one of the reasons behind its efficiency.

Propane heat feels warmer

You can actually set your thermostat lower because the warm, radiant heat of propane feels warmer than the heat you get from natural gas. You’ll feel cozier and may require fewer blankets or extra layers of clothing. When it comes to a gas log fireplace, propane is more efficient here as well, providing a greater warmth and ambiance. Some homeowners even choose to fuel their gas logs with propane when the rest of their home appliances run on natural gas, simply because it feels warmer. 

Burlington Propane is Convenient

Not only is propane highly efficient, it can be conveniently delivered right to you. A common myth about propane is that it is not as convenient as natural gas, but it is more so. Not every home has access to natural gas lines, but Burlington propane can be made available to anyone, anywhere. A propane tank can be placed on your property or buried underground if you prefer. You can even receive automatic propane refills to ensure you never run out. 

Call Alamance Oil today at (336) 226-9371 to schedule propane delivery and experience the efficiency for yourself. 

Why don’t you have your furnace inspected, cleaned, and tuned up every year? Is it because you don’t want to pay for maintenance? It worked just fine last year, it will be fine again this year, right? 

But what if it isn’t fine? What if the collected dust, soot, and moisture from the summer humidity has caused damage to the heat exchanger or clouded up the heat sensor? What if there is some other issue that may keep it from running properly and you don’t find out until you need to turn on the heat on a cold night? 

There are a lot of important questions here. Instead of questioning, know for sure that your furnace is working properly. The cost of maintenance is not only worth it, but it can mean you’ll pay less for heating this year. 

Here are 5 ways furnace repair in Greensboro can save you money:

Energy Efficiency

The biggest everyday cost associated with your furnace comes from the heating energy it uses. Whether it runs on gas, electricity, propane, or oil, a well-maintained furnace will use the least amount of energy, saving you money on your monthly bills. 

Avoid Emergency Repairs

If your furnace breaks down on a cold night, you may find yourself in need of an emergency repair. Emergency and after-hours fees are usually higher for most HVAC companies. If you had your furnace inspected and repaired before the cold weather set in, you most likely could have avoided these fees. 

Lengthen the LifeSpan of your Furnace

A regularly maintained furnace and tuned up will run for many more years than one that sits neglected. Furnace replacement is expensive, and yearly furnace repair in Greensboro by an experienced HVAC service can add years to your furnace’s life span. 

Heating Fuel Discount

If your furnace runs on propane or oil, Berico offers a package deal including HVAC maintenance and discounted heating fuel. Sign up for a Comfort and Protection Service Plan and you’ll save money in multiple ways. 

Preferred Customer Perks

HVAC companies offer additional benefits when you sign up for regular yearly maintenance. At Berico, these added benefits include priority service, 20% discount on repairs and diagnostic fees, bonus bucks toward new equipment, waived emergency and after-hours fees, and more. 

 

Still Not Convinced? Consider the Current Specials

In addition to all the ways listed above that furnace repair in Greensboro can save you money, Berico offers seasonal specials that make repairs, maintenance, and heating fuel more affordable. Check out the current specials for more ways to save on heating costs this year. Call (336) 273-8663 to schedule furnace maintenance today. 

There are a few different energy options available for both household and commercial use. Electricity, natural gas, heating oil, propane, and more. If environmental impact is a key consideration in your choice, propane should be at the top of your list. Any propane supplier in Eden can tell you the environmental benefits of using propane. Here are 6 of the best reasons:  

1. No Air Pollution. Propane burns clean and emissions are minimal, meaning it has much less impact on air quality than other fuels. Propane has an extremely low carbon content, which is the reason it produces very little carbon monoxide and almost no Sulphur. It is not considered to be a greenhouse gas.  
2. No Effect on Water. In the case of a leak, propane does not pollute water supplies, which is an important environmental benefit. Both freshwater and saltwater ecosystems are unharmed by propane, including marine life and plant life.  
3. No Effect on Soil. A propane spill will do no harm to the soil, including the plants and organisms living in it.  
4. High Efficiency. Propane is an extremely efficient fuel that burns hotter and creates more heat per BTU than other fuels. This means that less of it is required to attain the same amount of energy as other fuels.  
5. Propane vapor is not harmful if inhaled. Accidental propane inhalation does not have any negative effects on people or animals. 
6. Propane use in vehicles reduces smog. Harmful exhaust that contributes to smog is reduced by 70% when propane is used instead of gasoline or diesel fuel. Many propane-powered vehicles are EPA certified.  

Find a Reliable Propane Supplier in Eden and Save Money 

Successful propane use depends on having a reliable propane supplier. You need a supplier who plans automatic deliveries so that you never run out, who offers pricing plans and payment plans to make fuel more affordable, and who can also provide maintenance for your tank and gas lines as well as your furnace.  

Carolina Fuels, a top propane supplier in Eden, offers all of that and more. As a customer of Carolina Fuels, you’ll enjoy all sorts of savings and perks. You can even switch propane suppliers for free because Carolina Fuels will swap out your old supplier’s tank with a new one at no charge. Call (336) 623-9741 today to become a new propane customer.  

Propane is a highly safe source of energy. It is non-toxic, clean-burning, and it only ignites at extremely high temperatures. Although safe, homes with small children should manage fuels with proper safety precautions. Here are some safety tips that can help teach little ones how to be safe around propane in Greensboro. 

A wonderful resource for children is www.propanekids.com. This is an interactive site with games, printable activities, and other information about propane safety for kids. 

Do a Home Propane Inspection

Familiarize your children with the ways propane is used in your home. They should know which appliances use it, where the tank is located, and where the propane enters your home. Explain to your children the importance of never touching or playing with the propane equipment or tanks. You can use this checklist as a guide. By involving your child in the process of checking your home’s propane equipment, they will be actively learning and are more likely to remember. 

Introduce your Children to the Smell of Propane

When your supplier makes a delivery, ask them to allow you and your children to smell the propane to know the odor. If a refill isn’t needed, describe the smell of propane to your children. The smell is like rotten eggs or a skunk. Make sure they know to tell an adult if they think they smell propane.

Designate a Family Emergency Meeting Place

For a multitude of safety purposes, your family should have an emergency meeting place outside of your home. Ideally, this place is off-property, but nearby and within sight of your home. This emergency meeting place is adequate in case of a propane leak. Review this meeting place with your children, or establish a meeting place if you don’t already have one designated.

Have a Propane Safety Drill

Make sure your children know what to do in the event of a possible propane leak. Go over safety steps and then hold a practice drill. Here are the appropriate steps to take if someone smells propane in or around the home. 

• If a child smells propane, the child should tell an adult.
• If an adult smells propane, first extinguish any flames, such as candles or stove burners.
• The adult should then turn off the propane at the tank by turning the valve clockwise until it stops. If you are unsure how to do this, skip this step.
• Everyone must leave the home and property. An adult should make sure everyone is out, including pets.
• Once everyone reaches the emergency meeting place, the adult should then call the propane supplier or 911 if the supplier cannot be reached.
• No one should reenter the home or area until a propane professional has deemed it safe to do so.

Practice these steps with your children so that they will know what to do and will not be frightened if a propane leak occurs. 

Get a Propane Inspection from your Supplier of Propane in Greensboro 

Lastly, scheduling regular propane inspections from your supplier maximizes your home’s safety. Every time you receive a delivery of propane in Greensboro, have your tank and gas lines inspected. For the utmost safety, have your propane appliances inspected as well for proper function because faulty appliances are often the culprits of propane leaks. 

Call Berico today at (336) 273-8663 to schedule a propane inspection to make sure your home is a safe place for your family.